How to Double Crochet: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Taller, faster and beautifully drapey — the double crochet is the workhorse behind blankets, granny squares and garments. Here's how to make it perfectly every time.
Once you've met the single crochet, the double crochet (US dc) is your next big leap. It's about twice as tall, which means your work grows roughly twice as fast — and the slightly more open fabric drapes softly, making it the go-to stitch for blankets, scarves, granny squares and clothing. The motion has one extra step compared to single crochet (you yarn over before you insert the hook), and that small addition opens up a huge range of projects.
Before you start
Double crochet builds directly on the basics, so a few earlier skills make it click instantly.
It helps to already be comfortable with the chain and the single crochet, since double crochet is the same idea with one extra yarn-over. Use a smooth worsted-weight yarn and a matching hook so the taller stitches are easy to read.
How to double crochet, step by step
Make a foundation chain of about 15, then work your first row:
1. Yarn over first. Before you do anything else, wrap the yarn over your hook. 2. Insert the hook. Skip the first three chains (they count as your first dc) and insert into the fourth chain from the hook. 3. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have three loops on the hook. 4. Yarn over, pull through two. Two loops remain. 5. Yarn over, pull through the last two. One double crochet complete. Repeat into each chain across.
The rhythm to memorise is simple: yarn over, insert, pull up, "through two, through two." Say it out loud the first few times — it really does train your hands.
The turning chain (this one's important)
Double crochet is tall, so at the end of a row you chain 3 and turn — and unlike single crochet, that chain-3 usually counts as your first double crochet. That means you skip the first stitch and work your next dc into the second stitch, then place your final dc into the top of the previous row's turning chain. Getting this right keeps your edges straight; getting it wrong is the most common reason beginners' double-crochet pieces lean or change width. When in doubt, count your stitches at the end of every row.
"Double crochet is the moment crochet starts to feel fast. Suddenly a blanket isn't a fantasy — it's a few cozy evenings away."— Ava, MrsCrochetWorld
Projects that show off the double crochet
Double crochet is the backbone of these beginner-friendly makes — practise the stitch and finish something lovely.
The granny square bag
Beginner · with videoGranny squares are nothing but clusters of double crochet. Our granny square tote is the ideal place to practise, with a video to follow.
A modern granny tote
Everyday makeThe Humble Bag turns simple double-crochet clusters into a chic, useful tote you'll reach for daily.
9 bags in one bundle
Best valueLoving the rhythm? Our 9-in-1 bag bundle is a whole season of double-crochet projects.
The crochet stitch family (by height)
Double crochet sits in the middle of a tidy, logical family — once you know it, the taller stitches are easy.
Double crochet
One yarn over, closed "two and two". Fast and drapey — you're here!
Double crochet tips for straight, even edges
- Chain 3 to turn and remember it usually counts as the first dc — so work your next stitch into the second stitch, not the first.
- Place your last dc in the top of the turning chain of the row below, or your work will narrow.
- Yarn over before inserting the hook every single time — forgetting this turns your dc into a single crochet.
- Keep an even "through two, through two" rhythm so all stitches are the same height.
- If edges lean or flare, recount each row — double crochet mistakes almost always trace back to the turning chain.
- Relax your tension for a soft drape; tight double crochet looks stiff. More on tension.
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Browse free patterns Shop bag patternsFrequently asked questions
How do you double crochet step by step?
Yarn over first, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through two loops, then yarn over and pull through the last two loops. That makes one double crochet.
What does dc mean in a crochet pattern?
"dc" is the US abbreviation for double crochet. Be careful: in UK terms "dc" means single crochet, and the US double crochet is called a treble (tr). Always check the pattern's terminology.
Does the turning chain count as a stitch in double crochet?
Usually yes. A chain-3 turning chain typically counts as the first double crochet, so you skip the first stitch and work your last dc into the top of the previous turning chain.
Why is my double crochet getting wider or narrower?
It's almost always the turning chain. If it narrows, you're missing the stitch in the turning chain; if it widens, you may be working an extra stitch into the base of the turning chain. Count each row to catch it.
What's the difference between single and double crochet?
Double crochet is taller and worked with an extra yarn over before inserting the hook, then closed in two steps. It grows faster and drapes more softly, while single crochet is shorter and denser.
Is double crochet harder than single crochet?
Only slightly. It has one extra step (the initial yarn over and an extra pull-through), but most beginners pick it up within a few rows.
What can I make with double crochet?
Blankets, scarves, granny squares, bags, shawls and garments. Its speed and drape make it the most popular stitch for larger projects.
How tall is a double crochet compared to single crochet?
Roughly twice as tall, which is why your work grows about twice as fast and the fabric is more open and flexible.
